French Conversation · Level 137
30 words
French word
épopée
Pronunciation
IPA/epope/
Meaning
- feminine nounepic poem
Example
Nous avons étudié l'épopée en classe.
We studied the epic poem in class.
More examples
On a parlé d'une épopée à la radio.
We talked about an epic poem on the radio.
Core concept
A long-form account in which one hero or community becomes larger than life through successive trials and achievements.
Common phrases
parler d'une épopée
talk about an epic poem
un film d'épopée
an epic film
Similar words
histoire: An ordinary story that recounts events or people's actions in sequence.
aventure: An experience or event involving danger, excitement, or uncertainty.
récit: A short story or piece of writing that records events or experiences in sequence.
légende: A traditional tale about heroes or extraordinary events, passed down through generations.
Definition in French
Poème long et narratif, souvent en vers, qui raconte les exploits d'un héros ou d'un peuple.
Word origin
Épopée entered French from Latin epopoeia, ultimately based on Greek epos for narrative and poiein for making or composing.
Usage tips
- Épopée has a literary, elevated register and can also describe a long, difficult undertaking in figurative use.